Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Nitrogen cycling in a marine planktonic food chain: Nitrogen fluxes through the principal components and the effects of adding copper

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nitrogen cycling in a natural planktonic food chain was followed before and after perturbation by copper (10 μg l-1). Observations were separated into effects from artificial containment of the food chain and effects from the addition of copper. An initial reduction of seston-N and subsequent recovery, uniformly high settling rates of suspended particulate-N, and general decrease in zooplankton-N were attributed to the physical limitations imposed by the enclosures (e.g. elimination of normal mixing processes). Acute inhibition of nitrate assimilation by the seston, acute elevation of seston-N settling and chronic inhibition of zooplankton feeding, along with accelerated decline in zooplankton stocks, were attributed to copper stress. Since zooplankton stocks and fluxes were most drastically affected by copper, its overall effect on N-cycling through the planktonic food chain would depend largely upon the importance of zooplankton in regulating the production of the remaining seston.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Alexander, V.: Relationships between turnover rates in the biological nitrogen cycle and algal productivity. In: Proceedings of The 25th Industrial Waste Conference, pp 1–7. Purdue University Engineering Extension Service Vol. 137, 1970

  • Barsdate, R.T. and R.C. Dugdale: Rapid conversion of organic nitrogen to N2 for mass spectrometry: an automated Dumas procedure. Analyt. Biochem. 13, 1–5 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beers, J.R., G.L. Stewart and K.D. Hoskins: Dynamics of micro-zooplankton populations treated with copper: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 66–79 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryan, C.W.: The effects of heavy metals (other than mercury) on marine and estuarine organisms. Proc. R. Soc. (Ser. B) 177, 389–410 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugdale, R.C. and J.J. Georing: Uptake of new and regenerated forms of nitrogen in primary productivity. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12, 196–206 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eppley, R.W., E.H. Renger, E.L. Venrick and M.M. Mullin: A study of plankton dynamics and nutrient cycling in the central gyre of the North Pacific Ocean. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18, 534–551 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, V.R. and G.D. Grice: Response of macrozooplankton populations to copper: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 85–91 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, E.: The nitrogen cycle in Long Island Sound. Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Coll. 17, 31–65 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, W.G., R.W. Eppley and E.H. Ranger: Phytoplankton nitrogen metabolism, nitrogen budgets and observations on copper toxicity: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 44–57 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirota, J.L.: Laboratory culture and metabolism of the planktonic ctenophore, Pleurobrachia bachei A. Agassiz. In: Biological oceanography of the Northern North Pacific Ocean, pp 465–484. Ed. by A. Yositada Takenouti et al. Tokyo: Idemitsu Shoten 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Jawed, M.: Ammonia excretion by zooplankton and its significance to primary productivity during summer. Mar. Biol. 23, 115–120 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannes, R.E.: Phosphorus excretion and body size in marine animals: microzooplankton and nutrient regeration. Science, N.Y. 146, 923–924 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, A.G. and P.H. Whitfield: The biological importance of copper in the sea, a literature review. Rep. int. Copper Res. Ass., N.Y. No. 223 (1974)

  • Menzel, D.M. and J. Case: Concept and design: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 1–7 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullin, M.M. and P.M. Evans: The use of a deep tank in plankton ecology. 2. Efficiency of a planktonic food chain. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19, 902–911 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • —, M.J. Perry, E.H. Renger and P.M. Evans: Nutrient regeneration by oceanic zooplankton: a comparison of methods. Mar. Sci. Communs 1, 1–13 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeve, M.R., J.C. Gamble and M.A. Walter: Experimental observations on the effects of copper on copepods and other zooplankton: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 92–104 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • —, G.D. Grice, U.R. Gibson, M.A. Walter, K. Darcey and T. Ikeda: a controlled environmental pollution experiment (CEPEX) and its usefulness in the study of larger marine zooplankton under toxic stress. In: Effects of pollutants on aquatic organisms, pp 145–162. Ed. by A.P. Lockwood. Cambridge: University Press 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, H.V., D.A. Leighty and G.C. McLeod: The effects of some trace metals on marine phytoplankton. Critical Rev. Microbiol. 3, 27–49 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Saward, D., A. Stirling and G. Topping: Experimental studies on the effects of copper on a marine food chain. Mar. Biol. 29, 351–361 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, J.H.: Improved analysis for “particulate organic carbon and nitrogen” from seawater. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19, 984–989 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickland, J.D.H. and T.R. Parsons: A practical handbook of seawater analysis, 2nd ed. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 167, 1–311 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, W.H., O. Holm-Hansen, D.L.R. Seibert, F. Azam, R. Hodson and M. Takahashi: Effects of copper on phytoplankton standing crop and productivity: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 34–43 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and D.K.R. Seibert: Effects of copper on the dominance and diversity of algae: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 23–33 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Topping, G. and H.L. Windom: Biological transport of copper at Loch Ewe and Saanich Inlet: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 135–141 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaccaro, R.F., F. Azam and R.E. Hodson: Response of natural marine bacterial populations to copper: controlled ecosystem pollution experiment. Bull. mar. Sci. 27, 17–22 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Resources, University of California, San Diego, La Jolia, California, USA

    W. G. Harrison

  2. Marine Laboratory, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, Aberdeen, Scotland

    J. M. Davies

  3. Marine Ecology Laboratory, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, B2Y 4A2, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

    W. G. Harrison

Authors
  1. W. G. Harrison
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. M. Davies
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J.S. Pearse, Santa Cruz

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Harrison, W.G., Davies, J.M. Nitrogen cycling in a marine planktonic food chain: Nitrogen fluxes through the principal components and the effects of adding copper. Mar. Biol. 43, 299–306 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396924

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396924

Keywords

Search

Navigation